Ramadan Reflections 1444/2023 Part 2

For some of us, the advent of Ramadan, can be bittersweet.

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. It can remind us of other months of Ramadan; of a different time, place, people and a life that no longer exists. For converts, for people without family, for those who have lost a loved one - a parent, a spouse, a child - Ramadan can bring with it immense bouts of grief, sadness and tears. These feelings and emotions, that we don’t have much control over, can overwhelm us, whether we want them to or not.

I want to say to myself and to you, that it’s okay to feel a confusing jumble of feelings. To 'feel', reminds us that we are human and in desperate need of Divine Mercy. Human beings were designed to be connected to their Nurturing, Nourishing, Sustaining Lord, and to each other in loving, merciful, safe and secure relationships. We are a people of community. The lack of the presence of loved ones, family, or community, can be heartrending and devastating. Know that this world is designed to break your heart. So that you may detach from the ephemeral world and attach to the Eternal, Ever-Living, Ever-Lasting Creator of the World.

Where do broken hearts ago?

Back to their Lord.

To be healed.

To be made whole again.

Who better, than the One Who Fashioned the heart, to put it back together again, stronger and more resilient than before?

Take your anguish and your tears and your heart to your prayer mat. Hand your hurt and pain over to Ash-Shafee, The Healer and Al-Jabbar, The Compeller and The One Who Mends and Re-knits that which is broken. Your heart belongs to Him, because He is your only Eternal and Ever-lasting Love and He is always with you.

Alhamdulillah a la kulli haal (Praise be to Allah in every state)